Clueless re: Ham radio

[OGBeno]

I suggest going with the same brand as the club for local support. As Jarrad stated already, these radios are very capable and take some effort in learning to use them effectively.

This is very true. Then other more capable folks can assist you in trouble shooting or assisting in set-up as Ali did with mine a while back.

 

[marcfj60]

I suggest going with the same brand as the club for local support. As Jarrad stated already, these radios are very capable and take some effort in learning to use them effectively.

Looks like the Yaesu is the predominant brand. I'm going to get serious about getting licensed a buy a radio. I'm tired of never knowing what's going on because Ali, Mike, Steve, Evan, Daisy, John, Jon and everyone else is talking on 2M and not saying a thing on the CB.

 

[sl33p3]

I'm sorry, but I am going to be the contrarian to this conversation.

I bought and installed the simplest set-up that would allow me to hang with my wheeling group.

I am not interested in talking to Sweden with my set up, or even talking to two different groups with my set up.

I am interested in keeping simplex communications with the group I am traveling/wheeling in, possibly using a repeater every once in awhile, keeping up with the local weather in the vicinity of the places I wheel and travel in, and in the end, that's about all.

I am not interested in lots of fancy options and features and parameters.

I got a new Yaesu 2800 and it has worked flawlessly for me in everything I have done....including meeting a group of people in the middle of no where both in Southern Utah and in Death Valley based on some loose idea of where they were going to be. The Yaesu performed flawlessly. It was an easy install and an easy set up.

Good luck.

WTF! simplicity??? BLASHPHEMY!!! now if you just got the license....

ultimate simplicity is HT ("handy talkie" ie handheld) but you will pay dearly for range and if you are after that in remote areas, which is the beauty of the 50W rig mounts for sure...

 

[alia176]

Just a thought for the folks who are looking to get into a cheap HT. Go to the Electronics section of the Mud forum and I think someone found an Ebay seller from Hong Kong that is selling HT's for less than $100. It's a brand name that no one recognizes but works fine from what I'm hearing.

 

[sl33p3]

Looks like the Yaesu is the predominant brand. I'm going to get serious about getting licensed a buy a radio. I'm tired of never knowing what's going on because Ali, Mike, Steve, Evan, Daisy, John, Jon and everyone else is talking on 2M and not saying a thing on the CB.

you know marc. you don't need a license to listen. but i know it would drive you crazy to not say anything since you are such a big talker anyway.

 

[pappy]

ultimate simplicity is HT ("handy talkie" ie handheld)

BTW, HT also stands for "handheld transceiver." "Handy talkie" isn't geekish enough.

 

[sl33p3]

BTW, HT also stands for "handheld transceiver." "Handy talkie" isn't geekish enough.

LOL. i bow to your superior geekness. i'll remember.

 

[evanz80]

Looks like the Yaesu is the predominant brand. I'm going to get serious about getting licensed a buy a radio. I'm tired of never knowing what's going on because Ali, Mike, Steve, Evan, Daisy, John, Jon and everyone else is talking on 2M and not saying a thing on the CB.

Marc - You'll be glad you did. It's hard to go back to CB after using the Ham for a while. With your engineering bakground, the first level test will be very easy for you. It won't be long before CB radios are like 8-track players (if you've ever heard of one of those before).

 

[marcfj60]

you know marc. you don't need a license to listen. but i know it would drive you crazy to not say anything since you are such a big talker anyway.

Yup..

 

[marcfj60]

Marc - You'll be glad you did. It's hard to go back to CB after using the Ham for a while. With your engineering bakground, the first level test will be very easy for you. It won't be long before CB radios are like 8-track players (if you've ever heard of one of those before).

I used being busy with school as my excuse for a while. I finished that. Then I thought I could use cost as an excuse. But I've seen plenty of references to equipment costing $100 - $200. So I can't use that excuse any more. It's time to stop making excuses and just do it. Considering how many people in our group have passed the test, it must not be that hard.

 

[jericho]

I used being busy with school as my excuse for a while. I finished that. Then I thought I could use cost as an excuse. But I've seen plenty of references to equipment costing $100 - $200. So I can't use that excuse any more. It's time to stop making excuses and just do it. Considering how many people in our group have passed the test, it must not be that hard.

10 year olds are hams... The first test is there to keep the riff raff out... well some of them, and what do you mean it must not be that hard?

And to pick my side... I'm with Beno use the KISS principle.

 

[sl33p3]

10 year olds are hams... The first test is there to keep the riff raff out... well some of them, and what do you mean it must not be that hard?

And to pick my side... I'm with Beno use the KISS principle.

riff raff filter fail x1 ...

ask Ali about being intimidated at his test by the 8yr old beside him...

 

[pappy]

Considering how many people in our group have passed the test, it must not be that hard.

Hey, if you don't think the Tech class is hard enough there is always the General Class and the Amateur Extra. You want hard? Take those. At least the code requirement is now gone for all classes.

 

[Beowulf]

I predict that 2011 will be the year that CB will be phased out on HDC runs. There are a few of us that are trying to manage multiple radios to keep everyone informed but, as Ali pointed out, doing so is a major hassle.

If any prospective club members are considering a radio then please don't buy a CB. An HT or a low-end 2M (new or used) will work well.

-Mike-

 

[jericho]

I predict that 2011 will be the year that CB will be phased out on HDC runs. There are a few of us that are trying to manage multiple radios to keep everyone informed but, as Ali pointed out, doing so is a major hassle.

If any prospective club members are considering a radio then please don't buy a CB. An HT or a low-end 2M (new or used) will work well.

-Mike-

20 + mile contacts with 2m simplex vs barley 2 miles with CB. The only reason theres one in my truck - Cruise Moab required one. CB is a waste of time.

 

[Source3]

Considering how many people in our group have passed the test, it must not be that hard.

When I studied for the test for Search & Rescue, the group studied the "weezer" way (internal joke, sorry).

Go to Radio Shack and buy "Now Your Talking". Go to the back of the book and read the question and answers (answer only, do not read all the choices) until you have it memorized. This is about 300 questions. Go take your test. I do not know if there are only 20 to 30 questions still. After you pass, go back and read the book.

 

[alia176]

20 + mile contacts with 2m simplex vs barley 2 miles with CB. The only reason theres one in my truck - Cruise Moab required one. CB is a waste of time.

I do have to say that a properly "tuned" cb antenna and mount can result in good comm, more than 2 miles easily. However, most folks don't take the time to mount and tune a cb antenna properly, thus, resulting in poor transmission. With that said, moving away from CBs would be great.

 

[marcfj60]

But then how will we get to hear all the colorful trucker-talk when we're traveling on the highway?

 

[sl33p3]

But then how will we get to hear all the colorful trucker-talk when we're traveling on the highway?

its called NM megalink repeater system. but less colorful i'm sure.

 

[Voodoo FJ]

CO2

Alright, I have a 10# Ultimate Air tank on order. Does anyone know of a place to fill for less than $20?